How Does St. Elmo Fire Differ From Lightning?

💡 The Answer

• St. Elmo's fire is a continuous glow, not a sudden discharge like lightning.
• It occurs when the electric field is high but not enough to cause a lightning strike.
• Lightning is a rapid, high-energy spark, while St. Elmo's fire is a low-current corona.
• St. Elmo's fire typically appears on pointed objects, not as branched channels.